Photo: Georgian at English Wikipedia, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Brunswick is the mainland port of the Golden Isles and the gateway to St. Simons and Jekyll Island. Its Old Town was laid out in 1771 on a grid of squares modeled on Savannah’s and named for the German duchy of Braunschweig, and it is full of Victorian houses, a restored opera house and shrimp boats at the waterfront. It is about 275 miles from Atlanta, just off I-95. Here are the best things to do in Brunswick.
- From AtlantaAbout 275 miles, 5 hours 35 minutes without traffic
- CountyGlynn County
- Known forOld Town’s squares, the Sidney Lanier Bridge, shrimp boats and Brunswick stew
- Islands nearbySt. Simons (15 minutes) and Jekyll Island (20 minutes)
Top Things to Do in Brunswick
1. Old Town Brunswick historic district
Squares, Victorian houses and storefronts on a 1771 street grid, listed on the National Register in 1979. Our walking tour guide lays out a route.
2. Sidney Lanier Bridge
The 7,779-foot cable-stayed bridge over the Brunswick River, opened in 2003, with twin pylons 486 feet tall. Drive it on the way to Jekyll Island for the view of the port and marsh.
3. Lanier’s Oak and the Marshes of Glynn
The live oak where poet Sidney Lanier sat looking over the marsh in the 1870s, the inspiration for “The Marshes of Glynn.” It is on U.S. 17 at the St. Simons causeway.
4. Ritz Theatre
Built as the Grand Opera House, then a vaudeville and movie house, and now a restored performing arts center downtown.
5. Lover’s Oak and Old City Hall
A huge live oak said to be hundreds of years old stands in the middle of Albany Street, a few blocks from the Richardsonian Romanesque Old City Hall and the Glynn County Courthouse.
6. Hofwyl-Broadfield Plantation
North of town toward Darien, a rice plantation owned by the same family from 1804 to 1973, with the family home, a museum and a trail to the marsh.
7. Blythe Island Regional Park
A county park with a campground, freshwater swimming lake, fishing and a marina on the South Brunswick River.
8. Earth Day Nature Trail
A free boardwalk trail across salt marsh and tidal ponds, with an observation tower and an osprey nesting platform.
Advertise in Brunswick
Own a rental, inn, restaurant, charter or outfitter in Brunswick? Put it in front of visitors planning their trip. See our advertising options or download the 2026 media kit (PDF).
Events and Seasons
Brunswick’s shrimp boats work the sounds through most of the year, and fresh Georgia shrimp is on downtown menus from summer into fall. The town claims Brunswick stew as its own (Virginia disputes it), so order a bowl. Spring and fall are best for walking Old Town and the nature trails.
Nearby Towns and Trip Planning
Pair this trip with St. Simons Island, Jekyll Island or Darien, or see every stop in our 20 best things to do on the Georgia coast. During World War II, thousands of workers built Liberty cargo ships on Brunswick’s waterfront; read the story on our Liberty Ship marker page. For a ready-made route, follow the perfect 3-day Georgia coast itinerary, and see our best beaches in Georgia, Georgia lighthouses guide and lodging and accommodations listings.
Common Questions
What is Brunswick, GA known for?
Brunswick is known for its Old Town historic district and squares, the Sidney Lanier Bridge, its shrimping fleet, Lanier’s Oak and its claim to Brunswick stew.
How far is Brunswick from Atlanta?
Brunswick is about 275 miles from downtown Atlanta, roughly 5 hours 35 minutes by car without traffic.
Is Brunswick, GA on the beach?
No. Brunswick is on the mainland, on rivers and marsh. The nearest beaches are on St. Simons Island, about 15 minutes away, and Jekyll Island, about 20 minutes away.
Sources we checked
Facts on this page were checked against official sources and our own detailed pages. Drive times are from downtown Atlanta (Five Points) using OpenStreetMap routing and do not include traffic. Hours, fees and event dates change, so confirm before you go:
- Golden Isles CVB: Brunswick attractions and island access
- Georgia State Parks: Hofwyl-Broadfield Plantation
- Glynn County: Blythe Island Regional Park
Spot something out of date? Email Contact@n-georgia.com and we’ll check it against the official source. Read how we research our guides.